Registration

Create one-of-a-kind scarves and samples made from silk chiffon and merino wool in this exciting fibre arts workshop. Nuno felting combines the best of woven and felt textiles, creating pliable, gossamer like fabrics and many effects unexplored before. You’ll learn how to choose materials, the basic steps of the nuno felting method and its variations, the proper treatment of edges, making fringes and permanent gathers, and tricks for dealing with the challenges and mistakes of the process. A unique art form, it’s sure to inspire you to try a range of original projects of your own. Saturday May 12 & June 2nd Course Fee: $205 includes a $50 material fee Limit: 12 students

If you’re an absolute beginner artist, this course offers the encouraging hand-hold you’ve been looking for. Jump (even if tentatively) into a new creative world of colour and personal fulfillment. Discover what it is to feel good about the process of painting as you receive an introduction to the basics of watercolour and acrylic painting, along with enlightening discussions about drawing and composition. Come get your feet (and canvases) wet and take the first steps on your colourful and artistic journey. All materials provided – just show up and let it happen. Tuesdays. Course Fee: $189 Limit: 12 students

Discover the ease of working with the brilliant colours of dry pastels with signature artist, Clarence Porter. Learn about substrates, the various kinds of pastels used as well as elements of colour theory, composition, layering and design. You’ll love the vibrancy of the pastel pieces you’ll create! For students with some drawing and/or painting experience. Wednesdays. Course Fee: $185 Limit: 15 students

If you’re an absolute beginner artist, this course offers the encouraging hand-hold you’ve been looking for. Jump (even if tentatively) into a new creative world of colour and personal fulfillment. Discover what it is to feel good about the process of painting as you receive an introduction to the basics of watercolour and acrylic painting, along with enlightening discussions about drawing and composition. Come get your feet (and canvases) wet and take the first steps on your colourful and artistic journey. All materials provided – just show up and let it happen. Wednesdays. Course Fee: $189 Limit: 15 students

Used by the 'old masters' to create dramatic and exciting drawings, this one-day workshop introduces you to the medium of black and white ink on toned paper. The traditional pen techniques of hatching, cross-hatching and stippling will all be presented. 'Sketching' and gel pens will be used on toned papers of different colours. Also included is discussion and analysis of drawings from masters of the medium. Some drawing experience an asset. Thursday. Course Fee: $95 Limit: 15 students

Squarespace and Wix are the preeminent platforms for artists looking to host an online portfolio of their work. Here’s your chance to discover why. We’ll review and compare both platforms and get an introduction to their versatility and ease of use. Then, with a focus on Squarespace, we’ll learn time saving tips and tricks and start building your own online portfolio website that shows and SELLS your art – all of it easily managed by you! Once you see how Squarespace works, Wix will be a snap too. While demonstrations will be done on the big screen, students are encouraged to bring their own WiFi enabled laptop so they can follow along. Some computer experience is a must. Sunday. Course Fee: $35 Limit: 20 students

Learn how to construct and shape the human figure in clay using a life model for reference. No previous sculpture experience necessary, but students should have some basic drawing experience. All facets of the modelling process and figure sculpture technique will be demonstrated and discussed. There’s plenty of group and individual instruction included. Mondays. Course Fee: $259 includes one bag of clay, some materials and model fee. Limit: 15 students

An open studio format for previous mosaic students to bring their project ideas and learn a variety of new techniques to complete their vision. How is a mosaic created in studio then installed at another location? Which materials and techniques will survive an exterior four season installation? As this is an open workshop, there are ongoing presentations and discussions of many mosaic approaches and a wealth of inspiration! Wednesdays. Course Fee: $185 includes a $5 material fee. Limit: 10 students

Bring a vibrant new component to your life drawings. A brief period of gesture drawings is followed by one sustained pose, allowing you to settle into one long drawing/painting. Work in any medium you prefer, such as charcoal, soft pastel and/or acrylic. Plenty of group and individual instruction. Experience with either life drawing or your chosen medium is advised. Fridays. Course Fee: $185 includes model fee. Limit: 15 students

Sometimes artists just need to loosen up. This once-a-month drop-in life drawing and painting workshop features “adult libations,” a prime spot in front of a life (nude) model, and the opportunity to unwind from the week as you settle in to draw or paint. Working with instructor Ward Shipman, you’ll hone your skills through short sketches and longer poses. Instruction provided, if needed. Ideal for beginners to advanced artists. Licensed cash bar with light snacks available. Course Fee: $15 per session Limit: 30 students Please note: We are unable to provide refunds/credits for this course.

Settle in for a low-key evening as you experiment with watercolour techniques (wet over wet, wet over dry, pastel resist, salt technique and blending) and create a mixed-media abstract painting and/or cards using your own intuition and creative freedom. No experience necessary and all levels welcome. Licensed cash bar with light snacks available. Friday. Course Fee: $15 per session Limit: 20 students. Please note: We are unable to provide refunds/credits for this course.

Spend a morning further developing your life drawing foundational skills – either through a single workshop or a combination of these four, uniquely focused workshops. Each session offers techniques, approaches and advice for drawing the figure from life. Plenty of group and individual instruction provided. Drawing experience necessary. A session designed to tame some of the “black beasts” of figure drawing. We’ll start with a few basic guidelines on perception and perspective, then study the head, hands and feet while working through sighting, reference points, negative space and more. Saturday. Course Fee: $59 includes model fee. Limit: 15 students

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to GO BIGGER with a relief print? Let’s plan a project that will launch you into the big leagues by breaking down the process and learning how to overcome the challenges facing the print artist. We’ll use techniques and tools that are suitable for both studio and home to produce a 9” x 12”, one colour, woodcut or linocut print. Plenty of individual guidance and instruction throughout. Suitable for students that have experience with the relief printmaking tools. Saturdays. Course Fee: $179 includes a $25 material fee Limit: 10 students

An invigorating workshop for intermediate to advanced watercolourists. You’ll discover how spring colours and their interpretation combine to develop vibrant compositions. Great greens, deep violets and other passionate hues will be emphasized. We’ll explore new and old proven techniques and examine atmospheric perspective through colour. Sunday. Course Fee: $79 Limit: 15 students

A hands-on workshop for the photographer looking to improve their lighting knowledge and skills when shooting portraits. In the morning, we’ll examine camera settings and best lighting practices plus demystify the tools of the trade such as light modifiers, umbrellas, reflectors, softboxes, light triggers, grid and snoots and more. In the afternoon, it’s time to put your new knowledge into action as we work with our cameras and a live model to see what interesting portraits we can capture. Sunday. Course Fee: $89 includes model fee Limit: 15 students

Drawing the human form remains a mainstay of art school as it is an excellent method for developing your drawing abilities and improving your eye as a visual artist. In this absolute beginner life drawing class, you’ll learn to develop the figure from the inside out. Starting with the rudimentary armature of the gesture drawing, you’ll explore building the figure in a clear step by step process. There’s plenty of encouragement and support as you acquire the skills you need to discover the joys and challenges of life drawing. With demonstrations and considerable individual instruction, you just may gain the confidence to try a full life drawing course. At least one previous drawing class is advised. Mondays. Course Fee: $165 includes model fee Limit: 15 students

Single bloom, posies or potted. Spend the day learning to draw select spring flowers with botanical accuracy. All skill levels welcome. More experienced artists can initiate drawings in preparation for a final full colour study. Tuesday. Course Fee: $159 Limit: 15 students

Regardless of the medium, the colours yellow and orange can be challenging to capture. Many artists avoid yellow completely due to past artistic trauma or simply not knowing how to prevent it from becoming a muddy mess. Let Margaret demystify yellow and orange pigment properties and teach you how to control their various hues through a variety of simple petal studies. Coloured pencil or watercolour. All levels welcome. Wednesday. Course Fee: $159 Limit: 15 students

In this two-day workshop, you’ll compose and paint a study of yellow and/or orange spring blooms – pansies, lilies, iris and many other options. Learn how to manipulate and optimize these challenging hues when applying them to a flowering spring subject, whether working in coloured pencil or watercolour. A special focus will be on making good choices for shadow colour blending to ensure a brilliance of colour and natural results. Thursday & Friday. Course Fee: $299 Limit: 15 students

Curious about watercolour and ready to give it a try? Spend a relaxing day learning basic watercolour techniques such as wet over wet, wet over dry, pastel resist, salt technique and blending. You’ll create your own set of 5 unique cards and a couple of small paintings. Plenty of instruction; plenty of fun! Saturday. Course Fee: $79 Limit: 15 students

Expand your glazing options and learn to use the glaze spray booth. Through demonstrations and hands-on practice, you’ll explore the new possibilities for glaze and slip effects achievable by spraying Cone 6 glazes on greenware and bisqueware. We’ll also cover safe usage along with cleaning and maintaining the spray equipment. Sunday. Course Fee: $105 includes $10 glazing fee Limit: 6 students

Transforming a blank surface into a creative statement is a combination of intuition and understanding core design principles. For example, how can a single line show light, shade, texture and emotion? In this workshop, you’ll create a lexicon of examples that builds on your unique creative voice. At the conclusion, each artist will have personal sample images of techniques that incorporate visual balance, contrast and tension. Sunday. Course Fee: $95 includes a $15 material fee. Limit: 15 students

In partnership with OCAD U, DVSA offers a selection of online courses each term. Up to 8 credits from the OCAD U Online courses can be applied towards completion of DVSA’s Foundational Certificate Program. Registration must be done through DVSA. Students will receive their course log in information and network credentials by email directly from OCAD U one week before the course start date. For more information on OCAD U Online courses, visit this link.

This is a hands-on, fast-paced course that builds on skills, creative techniques, and concepts taught in the introductory Digital Photography and Photoshop courses. Students explore the art of digital imaging through colour correction, digital effects, and batch processing. The course is held in OCAD U's computer lab using the latest software. Output will be purchased externally or through the in-house print service bureau. This course qualifies for the Certificate in Digital Media Skills, the Certificate in Web Design and Development Skills and the Certificate in Photography Skills.Wednesdays. 4 weeks.

A challenging and stimulating subject, here’s your opportunity to learn the basics of portraiture in pen and ink. Proportions of the face and head and the principles of light and shadow will be presented, along with traditional pen techniques such as hatching, cross-hatching and stippling. You’ll work from photographs using 'sketching' pens. Drawings from masters of the medium will also be discussed. Some drawing experience an asset. Thursday. Course Fee: $95 Limit: 15 students

Perfect for “newbies” to the medium, this 2-day intensive will get you inspired about the potential of acrylic painting. Topics include colour mixing and colour theory to achieve the colours you want and painting techniques such as brush work and blending on the canvas. We’ll also look to the art world masters for examples of composition, style, technique and more. Bring your own image to work from. Saturday & Sunday. Course Fee: $149 Limit: 15 students

The potential of raku, post firing, is extraordinary. Learn how reduction and oxidation affect the colours of various types of raku glazes and how to best treat your work to get the desired effect. Explore glaze crackle in white and some coloured glazes using compressed air. Using horse hair will also be demonstrated. Students should bring 7-8 small bisque fired pots to class and 3 bisque fired pots with white slip. Any studio clay is fine, but raku is recommended. Sunday. Course Fee: $115 includes a $20 glaze fee Limit: 10 students

In partnership with OCAD U, DVSA offers a selection of online courses each term. Up to 8 credits from the OCAD U Online courses can be applied towards completion of DVSA’s Foundational Certificate Program. Registration must be done through DVSA. Students will receive their course log in information and network credentials by email directly from OCAD U one week before the course start date. For more information on OCAD U Online courses, visit this link.

This is a hands-on, fast-paced course that builds on skills, creative techniques, and concepts taught in the introductory Digital Photography and Photoshop courses. Students explore the art of digital imaging through colour correction, digital effects, and batch processing. The course is held in OCAD U's computer lab using the latest software. Output will be purchased externally or through the in-house print service bureau. This course qualifies for the Certificate in Digital Media Skills, the Certificate in Web Design and Development Skills and the Certificate in Photography Skills. *Please note: there will be no class on May 21* Mondays. 6 weeks.

Taught by qualified, professional artists, our Summer Art Camps encourage originality and are designed to develop your child's creative literacy and art skills - all in a fun and supportive studio environment.

Let your young artist explore and create at their own pace, free to choose what they want to express at a variety of creative stations that include Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture/Building projects and much more.

Taught by qualified, professional artists, our Summer Art Camps encourage originality and are designed to develop your child's creative literacy and art skills - all in a fun and supportive studio environment.

Let your young artist explore and create at their own pace, free to choose what they want to express at a variety of creative stations that include Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture/Building projects and much more.

Bring your drawing or painting supplies and your camera and join us for a day at the Weir’s Lane Lavender Farm. Located on the outskirts of Dundas, the farm will play host to a day of en plein air artmaking. The vistas on this property are magnificent for sketching, watercolours and more. Participants must arrange own transportation.

*Please Note: Parking can be a bit of a challenge around Weir’s Lane, so the class is asked to meet at DVSA at 9:00 a.m. to carpool to the location.*

Breathe new life into your artwork as you get outside on location with pencils, brushes and easels for a week of open air sketching and painting. You’ll explore the fundamentals of site selection, developing a compositional sketch, working in direct color and more while enclosed in the stunning grounds of Trails End Iris Gardens (located between Ancaster and Brantford). Students will be encouraged to create sketches and take site pictures for studio use. This course is for intermediate or experienced painters working in oils or acrylics. Students must provide own transportation to painting sites. Site is fully equipped with washroom and tents during inclement weather.

Immerse yourself in this stimulating medium that’s provided the means to create some of the world’s greatest works of art. You’ll receive group and individual instruction on composition, colour and technique. Work in traditional watercolour methods or explore other approaches – whatever feels right for you. All levels.

Discover the ease of working with the brilliant colours of dry pastels. In this series of workshops, geared to beginners and experienced alike, you’ll be introduced to the techniques and processes instructor, Clarence Porter, uses to produce successful pastel works. Learn about substrates, the various kinds of pastels used as well as elements of colour theory, composition, layering and design. There’s plenty of fun and you’ll leave with your own completed pieces!

Do you dream of creating your own comic strip like the ones you read in the newspapers? You’ll learn from comic industry professional Mike Gagnon how to develop funny, compelling characters and produce a professional quality comic strip that you can share with others online or in print. You’ll be guided through a visual examination of gags and humorous storytelling with visuals as well as storytelling with brevity.

Designed for those who have never tried acrylics or have limited painting skills, you’ll learn to master this plastic and flexible medium, starting with basic techniques and moving through a series of exercises and projects designed to develop your confidence and talents. Previous drawing experience recommended.

This workshop introduces the basics of working with stained glass. Learn to cut, grind, foil, solder, patina and polish and finish a 9-piece Trillium in one day. All materials and tools supplied. This class is a prerequisite for the Fine Art Stained Glass Panel Original Design and Fabrication Workshop.

Jump from AUTO to Manual settings on your camera and open up your creativity. Designed for beginner to intermediate photographers, this course will provide you with the essential tools and knowledge to transform your camera from that complicated device into an amazing tool for your creativity. Learn about the workings of your camera and lenses, the fundamentals of exposure, shutter speed and ISO, lighting tricks and how to compose a better shot. Photo editing on the computer and preparing images for print or online use will also be introduced. Participants are required to work with a digital SLR removable lens camera (not point & shoot).

Tuesday & Thursday: July 3 – August 2 (4 weeks) 7:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. *Please note: there will be no classes on July 17 and 19* Course Fee: $225 Limit: 12 students

A soul-satisfying course in the fundamentals of pottery for all levels. You’ll explore the hand-forming methods of clay, including pinch, coil, slab, and the potter's wheel while you hone your skills and transform your own ideas into finished pottery. Clay extra.

Discover the versatility and unique characteristics of silkscreening using the latest non-toxic techniques. This course is suitable for both beginning and experienced screenprinters. Beginners will learn a step-by-step method designed to inspire the creation of silkscreened projects. Returning students will explore more challenging ideas aimed at cultivating an advanced set of silk screening skills.

This camp is for children who love colour and paint. We’ll experiment with stencilling, stamping, using strings, brushes, household objects and finger painting to create radiant masterpieces. An art smock/apron is highly recommended! Course Fee: $109 Limit: 16 students

This camp is for children who love colour and paint. We’ll experiment with stencilling, stamping, using strings, brushes, household objects and finger painting to create radiant masterpieces. An art smock/apron is highly recommended! Course Fee: $109 Limit: 16 students

An action packed studio with a little bit of everything for your young artist – drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking or working in clay is all part of the fun. Projects include exploring colour, line and form while learning about the great artists and artworks that continue to inspire artists of all ages. Course Fee: $109 Limit: 16 students

An action packed studio with a little bit of everything for your young artist – drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking or working in clay is all part of the fun. Projects include exploring colour, line and form while learning about the great artists and artworks that continue to inspire artists of all ages. Course Fee: $109 Limit: 16 students

Laughter Alert: Making pottery is highly addictive and may cause creativity, new ideas and gales of laughter. Your potter will explore the joys of clay as they tackle fun projects that will build both their wheel and hand building techniques. Course Fee: $109 Limit: 16 students

Laughter Alert: Making pottery is highly addictive and may cause creativity, new ideas and gales of laughter. Your potter will explore the joys of clay as they tackle fun projects that will build both their wheel and hand building techniques. Course Fee: $109 Limit: 16 students

Imaginations come alive in this animated camp with a focus on the basic skills and concepts of cartooning. Topics include learning to draw expressions and actions, adding dialogue, developing humour and more. A variety of exciting projects throughout are sure to generate original cartoon classics ready for sharing. This week is Hungry to Draw! – Get a taste of cartooning with regards to the food chain. Cartoons about cooking, recipes, snacking and nutrition are on this week’s drawing menu. “Bon Appe-toon!” Cartoonists need to bring their own 8 X 10 spiral ringed sketchbook. *Any reference to licensed characters are for classroom inspirational purposes only.* Course Fee: $109 Limit: 16 students

Imaginations come alive in this animated camp with a focus on the basic skills and concepts of cartooning. Topics include learning to draw expressions and actions, adding dialogue, developing humour and more. A variety of exciting projects throughout are sure to generate original cartoon classics ready for sharing. This week is Hungry to Draw! – Get a taste of cartooning with regards to the food chain. Cartoons about cooking, recipes, snacking and nutrition are on this week’s drawing menu. “Bon Appe-toon!” Cartoonists need to bring their own 8 X 10 spiral ringed sketchbook. *Any reference to licensed characters are for classroom inspirational purposes only.* Course Fee: $109 Limit: 16 students

Engaging in a variety of projects, we’ll explore different drawing and painting materials, tools and techniques. Students will be guided in skill development and the evolution of their own visual sensitivity and style. Course Fee: $109 Limit: 16 students

Engaging in a variety of projects, we’ll explore different drawing and painting materials, tools and techniques. Students will be guided in skill development and the evolution of their own visual sensitivity and style. Course Fee: $109 Limit: 16 students

For the young artist naturally curious about everything and wanting to try it all: drawing and painting, sculpture and jewellery, printmaking and papier-mache. We’ll discover fabulous new ways to ignite your child’s inner creativity with a slew of fun new projects every week! Course Fee: $109 Limit: 16 students

Register now for the Spring & Summer terms. Classes available in Painting, Sculpture, Pottery, Drawing, Photography, Printmaking and much more.

Dundas Valley School of Art (DVSA) is an independent, not-for-profit art school servicing the Greater Hamilton region. DVSA provides high quality, accessible and affordable visual arts education that encourages excellence and personal fulfillment for children and adults.